Occupant-propelled rocker for children



Oct. 24, 1967 I. HA'LAJ 3,348,853

OCCUPANT-PROPELLED ROCKER FOR CHILDREN Filed July 21, 1965 1, ,9 {y #4 M9 1; 7 I

Ava-Wm: AM #111 M0 wea- M? rrae VE/"5 United States Patent Q 3,348,853 OCCUPANT-PROPELLED ROCKER FOR CHILDREN Ivan Halaj, 476 W. 5th St., San Pedro, Calif. 90731 Filed July 21, 1965, Ser. No. 473,593 3 (Ilaims. (Cl. 280-1175) The present invention relates to an apparatus for amusement and exercise, and particularly to such an apparatus that is propelled by motion of the rider and is enjoyably responsive to an exercising motion by the rider.

A Wide variety of apparatus has been previously proposed which is variously responsive to movement of an occupant or rider, for the purposes of exercising the rider and providing enjoyment to him. A considerable portion of all prior rider-propelled apparatus has been designed for children and has often been constructed to resemble various animal creatures, as in the case of various forms of the well-known hobby horse. Another category of these machines variously propelled by a rider are primarily for adult use to accomplish a certain exercise pattern that is healthful, and is therefore beneficial to the rider.

In general, certain characteristics are desirable for most types of occupant-propelled apparatus. For example, the apparatus should provide a response or motion which is generally pleasant to the occupant. Specifically, physical motion by the apparatus in a pattern or direction different from the forces exerted by the rider is often pleasing. Furthermore, a responsive motion simulating an animal ride is also generally pleasing to the rider particularly if the rider is a child. In addition to a pleasant response, another generally-desirable characteristic for an occupant-propelled apparatus is that it provide beneficial exercise to the rider. That is, the customary and routine activities of many people, including children, fail to provide them with certain exercise patterns which are beneficial to their general well-being. Therefore, it is desirable that an occupant-propelled apparatus used for either pleasure or exercise supplement routine motion patterns.

Another important consideration regarding these machines relates to the usual compromise in their manufacture between cost and sturdy construction. Of course, the cost of producing a machine is invariably a consideration and normally in manufacturing a particular machine, costs rise with increased structural strength. Therefore, an ever-continuing need exists for simple structures that may be economically manufactured and that are sufficiently rugged and sturdy to withstand considerable use and abuse. Simple economical structures also tend to facilitate forming the apparatus to resemble various animals or other creatures, a consideration that is often quite significant in machines designed for use by children.

In general, the present invention comprises an apparatus which is propelled by the rider to provide exercise and pleasure for the rider. The frame of the apparatus is equipped with a support structure as wheels or runners, which support the apparatus for movement on a floor or other surface. A seat is movably afiixed on the frame to be moved by the rider, which motion may be facilitated by handles and footrests fixed to the frame. A stepping arm means is then attached to the seat and extends to the floor or surface so as to be movable in somewhat of an are relative the frame, with the result that as the rider swings or shifts his weight, the stepping arm motivates the apparatus across the surface. The stepping arm means may incorporate a unidirectional wheel for greater effectiveness. Furthermore, the frame of the apparatus may be designed to resemble an animal, a military tank or other machine or creature, to enhance the pleasure derived by children using the apparatus.

The advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following, taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of one form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the structure of FIG. 1, showing another operating position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another operating position of that structure; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 1.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention is disclosed as embodied in a machine as for use by children. However, it is to be understood, that the structural mechanism of the present invention can be readily incorporated in various other forms as to simulate other creatures, or alternatively the system may be manufactured in a purely functional form as for use by adults.

One form of such structure is shown in FIGS. 1- through 4 and will now be considered in detail. The embodiment here under consideration is formed to resemble a battle tank; however, it is readily apparent that various other animals, machines or bodies could be represented. The simulation of a tank is accomplished by placing side panels on the unit which are attached to the frame 142 as by clips, self-threading screws, or the like.

The frame 142 incorporates a pair of rockers 144 held spaced apart by seat planks 146 and upright spreaders 148. The planks 146 and the spreaders 148 are attached to rails 150 that extend between the ends of the rockers 144. The planks 146 at each end of the frame 142 provide seats 152 and 154 while the center planks 146 provide a central seat 156. The spreaders 148 are generally U-shaped and include vertically positioned arms 156 extending from the inverted base 158 of the U-shape. Each of the arms 156 is joined to one of the rails 150 and one of the rockers 144.

To accomplish the stepping motion of the structure of FIG. 1, stepping rods 160 extend from a knit point on each of the rails 150 to a location below the rockers 144. Specifically, a pivot pin 162 holds the rods 160a and 16011 pivotally affixed to the rails 150. Also aflixed to the rails 150 are control levers 164a and 16411 which control the position of the stepping rods 160 and thus the movement of the unit.

Consider for example, as shown in FIG. 2, that the handle 166a of the lever 164a is urged to the left, swinging the arc control plate 168:: to the right. As a result, the stepping rod 160a may move in an are substantially on the right half of the frame 142. As a result, when the frame 142 is rocked as by a child sitting on the seat 156, the stepping rods 160 will move back and forth in the arc stepping the structure along the ground to the left. That is, considering the position of the elements as shown in FIG. 2, as the frame carrying the rockers 144 swings back down, the stepping rod 160 will engage the ground, lift the frame 142 with a component of force urging the entire unit to move to the left as shown. During the next cycle of rocking, the stepping rods 160 will again fall to the left as guided by the pins 170 afiixed to the rods and dwelling in the arcuate slots 172 of the plates 168.

If it is desired to reverse the direction of travel from that shown in FIG. 2, the riders rock the unit to a position as shown in the figure, then move the handles 166a and 166b to the right swinging the arcuate slots 172 for operation on the 'left side of the frame thereby causing the operating arc of the stepping rods 160 to drive the structure to the right. Thus, the direction of travel coincides to the direction in which the handles 166 are urged.

In addition to proceeding in a straight stepping pattern, the unit of FIGS. 1 through 4 may also accomplish pivotal turns. That mode of operation results when the two levers 164a and 16411 are placed in opposing posi tions. That is, with the handle 166a urged to the right and the handle 166b urged to the left, each cycle of rocking urges the two rockers 144 in a different direction. As a result, the unit simply pivotally turns about its own axis. It may therefore be seen, that the operation and control of the structure is quite analogous to a battle tank or vehicle, moving on Caterpillar tread. Of course, the degree of movement accomplished by each rocking operation substantially coincides to the rocking stroke. Therefore, depending upon whether a single rider occupies the seat 162 or three riders occupy the seats, significant difference will occur in the extent of movement. Again, as with previously-described embodiments hereof, the basic operation involves swinging a stepping arm, leg or such member in a somewhat pivotal are relative to a frame, whichframe is supported for relative vertical movement, so that the stepping arm advances the vehicle in a forward direction.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the simplicity of the propnlsionunit as well as its effectiveness to accommodate a pleasant reciprocating motion while translating such motion into a stepping or propelling drive force. In this regard, it is to be understood that an oscillatory pattern of motion is easily established with the structure which truly simulates a horseback ride.

Still another important feature of the present invention resides in the rugged nature of the structure wherein relatively few moving parts in a simple mechanical arrangement may beeconomically assembled in an exceedingly strong configuration.

Various other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art; however, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the form in which it is disclosed above, but rather the breadth of the invention shall be interpreted in accordance with the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rider-propelled amusement apparatus for surface use, comprising:

a frame including a pair of spaced-apart rockers to 4 engage said surface to thereby support said frame upright; seat means affixed to said frame; at least one stepping arm means pivotally affixed to said frame wherebyto extend to said surface; and means to variously control the swinging arc of said stepping arm means relative to said frame means, including means defining at least one arcuate slot keyed to said stepping arm means to limit the movement thereof; and means for variously positioning said means defining said arcuate slot, whereby to control the propulsionof said apparatus in either direction. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means defining an arcuate slot comprises a level plate pivotally affixed to said frame and wherein said means for variously positioning, comprises handle means affixed to said lever plate.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pair of stepping arms are provided connectively associated with said spaced-apart rockers, and wherein said means to variously control the swinging are of said stepping arms comprises a pair of plates defining internal slots, which slots are connected to limitthe travel of said stepping arms, said plates being pivotally affixed to said frame whereby to be movable to variously control the swinging arc of each of said stepping arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,479,930 1/1924 Robeson 2801.184 1,677,061 7/1928 Toman. 2,132,772 10/1938 Banks 280-1175 2,487,663 11/1949 Mikulic. 2,604,329 7/1952 Blair 2801.184 3,096,990 7/1963 Thoren 2801.184 X FOREIGN PATENTS 380,611 9/ 1932 Great Britain.

332,012 11/1935 Italy.

413,815 5/1946 Italy.

433,178 4/ 1948 Italy.

5 LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RIDER-PROPELLER AMUSEMENT APPARATUS FOR SURFACE USE, COMPRISING: A FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED-APART ROCKERS TO ENGAGE SAID SURFACE TO THEREBY SUPPORT SAID FRAME UPRIGHT; SEAT MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID FRAME; AT LEAST ONE STEPPING ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY AFFIXED TO SAID FRAME WHEREBY TO EXTEND TO SAID SURFACE; AND MEANS TO VARIOUSLY CONTROL THE SWINGING ARC OF SAID STEPPING ARM MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME MEANS, INCLUDING MEANS DEFINING AT LEAST ONE ARCUATE SLOT KEYED TO SAID STEPPING ARM MEANS TO LIMIT THE MOVEMENT THEREOF; AND MEANS FOR VARIOUSLY POSITIONING SAID MEANS DEFINING SAID ARCUATE SLOT, WHEREBY TO CONTROL THE PROPULSION OF SAID APPARATUS IN EITHER DIRECTION. 